Jeremy MikulaCSNChicago.com
The Chicago Fire announced Wednesday that midfielder Victor Pineda will be out of action for 3-5 months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn left meniscus.
Pineda, 19, told the Fires official website he tore his left meniscus last Thursday during offseason training.
I was dribbling on the left side and I turned to cross the ball with my right. As soon as I turned I felt the pain in my left knee immediately and fell to the ground, he said.
According to the club statement, the injury was initially thought to keep Pineda out for 3-4 weeks. However, once Pineda was set for surgery, it was revealed the tear was larger than expected and would keep him out for 3-5 months.
Pineda, the teams first homegrown player from the Chicago Fire Academy, is originally from Bolingbrook. He has yet to make a competitive appearance for the Men in Red at the senior level, however hes appeared in friendlies and has been named in a few match day squads.
He regularly appears in the clubs Reserve League matches and the U.S. u-20 team.
The injury will likely keep Pineda out of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2013 FIFA World Youth Championships, as well as the majority of the Fires preseason, which starts mid-January.
I was ready for the three to four weeks so when I found out it was going to be a lot longer I just felt sad, Pineda was quoted as saying. To be out for that long and miss the national camps, the qualifiers and preseason is disappointing for me.
Ive just told myself thats how its going to be. I cant really do anything about it now so being sad or angry isnt going to help. Im taking my recovery one day at a time, trying to take care of my knee and so having my family around helps as I try to enjoy the little things.Thank you all for all the support blessed victor pineda(@victorpineda93) November 21, 2012